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PES Council in Lisbon to decide on common candidate & debate future of Europe

27/11/2017

Socialists and democrats from around Europe are preparing to gather in Lisbon for the PES Council on 1–2 December, where they will adopt a strong resolution on the future of Europe and decide on the process for choosing a common candidate for the president of the European Commission in the 2019 European elections.

370 delegates from Europe's progressive parties will be attending the event, along with nearly 200 PES activists and guests from the EU countries and beyond.

Prime ministers, national ministers and party leaders will discuss current political challenges, and hundreds of party activists will exchange experiences from campaigns across Europe.

The PES member party Partido Socialista (Socialist Party) from Portugal is co-hosting the event, and Prime Minister António Costa will be one of the main speakers.

Key issues featured in the draft resolution, and subject to votes, include:

improving quality of jobs and social protection

sustainable and fair economic development

protecting democracy and eliminating discrimination

fighting climate change and tackling international security

projecting progressive values around the world

The annual event will also include workshops, training sessions and conferences organised by PES and its partners, including MEPs from the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament and the Foundation of European Progressive Studies (FEPS) think-tank.

PES Women will also meet for their annual conference on the day before the Council, Thursday 30 November, under the title 'From gaining to owning power'.